Teino Evans, Staff Reporter
The Katalys Crew performing at Genesis Festival 2005 at National Stadium car park. - FILE
THE KATALYS Crew has made some major adjustments, as drummer Johnny Clarke and more recently JAI, one of their lead singers, have left.
"The Katalys Crew has a new image and a renewed direction and we are now focusing more on our move to go cultural as we approach the international market. Everyone in the group is now taking a lead role in singing," said Paul Barkley, a member of the group's management team.
Neison Hardy, drummer, and Kareem Bell, lead vocalist, are the two replacements and Barkley says they are "still a nine-member band".
"Neison replaced Johnny Clarke and the official position that we have is that he left because he will be migrating, and JAI to pursue his solo career. About November last year, Johnny indicated that he would be migrating and helped us to secure the services of this new drummer. JAI expressed his desire to pursue his solo career in February of this year and we appreciate his contribution as one of the members of the team," Barkley told The Gleaner.
GOALS
Barkley said the Katalys Crew has continued in pursuit of its goals.
"We have since embarked on a number of recordings that will be coming out on Katsjam Roots Gospel Volume 2. That album will feature a number of songs with Katalys Crew and friends, as well as other leading artistes like Jermaine Edwards, DJ Nicholas and Christopher Martin, just to name a few, and we are currently in studio working on our second album," Barkley said.
When contacted, JAI said he would still support the Katalys Crew, but picking up where he left off on his solo career is something he felt he had to do.
"JAI's career started out solo with hits like Can't Take My Lord and Katalys Crew came about as a result of Johnny (Marjohn Music), which produced my songs. Johnny was part of Katalys and Paul was managing Radic, so that's how we all came together. After Katalys found success, the contract had ended and we were supposed to renew it, but I decided against that and to continue in my solo career," JAI explained.
JAI, who is with Marjohn Music, headed by Johnny Clarke, says they will pick up where they left off.
"You can look out for a whole lot from JAI. God is doing a new thing and I give myself solely to him. The beautiful thing is that the relationship between Katalys and I is still good, I still love them and will support them in their endeavours, but this is just something that I have to do," JAI said.
